HOLOCAUST denier David
Irving appears set to test an Immigration
Service ruling barring him entry after announcing
he intends to proceed with a visit to speak in New
Zealand.

But
his prospects could be bleak, after Prime Minister
Helen Clark(right) indicated that
any political decision about his right to enter
would be influenced by the actions of other
"like-minded" countries. "If he's been deported
from other like-minded countries or denied entry to
other like-minded countries that could carry a
heavy weight with any New Zealand Government
thinking."

Irving is calling the refusal to let him enter
the work of the "traditional
enemies of free speech" and says on his website
that moves by the Jewish community to gag him have
caused "outrage in New Zealand".

Immigration officials
confirmed on Friday that Irving was not eligible
to enter New Zealand because he had been
deported from other countries.

Irving was scheduled
to speak to the National Press Club in
Wellington next month and also intends using his
visit for research on a book about Winston
Churchill. He said at the weekend that he
intended to honour the invitation to speak in New
Zealand.

"I know exactly what the legal position is and I
will be in New Zealand on the time and date that
I've specified," he told National Radio.

The Jewish community has welcomed Immigration's
decision, saying Irving is "well known for his
anti-Jewish writings and activities . . . and an
active Holocaust denier".

But free-speech advocates say Irving should be
allowed to express an opinion. His books are widely
available here and his internet site is easily
accessible.

The National Press Club has said that people
should be able to make up their own minds about
Irving's views.

The Immigration Service has said that Irving's
only chance of entry would be to seek a "special
direction". In most cases, that is dealt with by
the Immigration Service but in some instances it
can be referred to the immigration
minister.